The diary of a pint-sized rower

Girls with gongs

The sporting world has come a long way in the last few decades, losing a lot of its old prejudices and practices. But as soon as it comes to the medals ceremonies I find my hackles rising . Invariably the athletes – tough, determined men and women who have pushed their minds and bodies to levels most of us can only dream of – are greeted not by fellow or former athletes, but by a parade of perfectly matched, perfectly groomed, smiling ladies, often scantily clad in short skirts and high heels.

I’m talking, of course, about the medal bearers.

These ones, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, were at least modestly clad, but at some events it all starts to get a bit, well, Benny Hill. Now I don’t want to get all po-faced on you, but it just doesn’t seem right at a modern sporting event for any official to be sporting a look that wouldn’t be out of place in a 1970s game show.

What’s the alternative, then? Rowing kit supplier, Rock the Boat, has suggested having local cubs and brownies to bear the medals, though some say the medals couldn’t be entrusted to anyone so young.

What do you think? If you have views or ideas on the subject – even if you reckon I’m just being a grumpy old woman – comment below and let me know what you think.

I think it’s a great idea, but unlikely to get any traction! Though wouldn’t using junior rowers be a better idea? They’d be old enough to be responsible, and would surely be a fantastic privilege to assist the medal ceremonies in their own sport.

I was in Bled for World Champs and the medal bearers there were typically slim and attractive, and definitely didn’t look like rowers… was a bit depressing therefore to hear my Dad keep mentioning how they would improve presentations at his rowing club events. I think as long as there are chaps of a certain age (ie over 12) in charge, things are unlikely to change!

What a great idea! Yes, young up-and-coming rowers, maybe from local clubs, would be great; they’d have an idea of what had gone into the medallists’ achievements, and it would be really inspiring for them.